"My Life" is a 1969 song by

Phil Ochs Philip David Ochs (; December 19, 1940 – April 9, 1976) was an American songwriter and protest singer (or, as he preferred, a topical singer). Ochs was known for his sharp wit, sardonic humor, political activism, often alliterative lyrics, and ...

, a US singer-songwriter best known for the protest songs he wrote in the 1960s. "My Life" is the fifth song on '' Rehearsals for Retirement'', an album Ochs recorded in the aftermath of the protests at the

1968 Democratic National Convention The 1968 Democratic National Convention was held August 26–29 at the International Amphitheatre in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Earlier that year incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson had announced he would not seek reelection, thus making ...

in Chicago. In the song, Ochs says that his life, which had once been a joy, had become like death to him. In "My Life", Ochs sings "Take everything I own/Take your tap from my phone/And leave my life alone." Years after his death, it was revealed that the FBI had a file of nearly 500 pages on Ochs.

References

1969 singles Phil Ochs songs Songs written by Phil Ochs 1969 songs A&M Records singles {{1960s-rock-song-stub